Features

Pre- and in-service teachers get important background knowledge that provides a succinct overview of children’s writing development. (Chapter 1)

A firm foundation for effective coaching conversations is established in the discussion of strategic questioning and the importance of questioning. (Chapter 2 and in specific chapter questioning prompts)

The information is easy to follow due to the consistent format of the book that discusses seven pedagogical elements throughout–Context, Research Corner, Writing Sample, Coaching Conversation, Assessment, Teacher Comments, and Questions for Consideration. (Presented in Chapter 3 and in examples throughout Chapters 4—28)

Support for specific writing activities is provided by the Research Corner/References examples throughout Chapters 4 through 28.

Readers learn the connections to the national standards in the authors’ presentation of IRA/NCTE Standards for the English Language Arts, Common Core State Standards, and national content standards. (Chapters 4—28)

Learning through the voices of real teachers is featured in the Teacher Comments and applicable assessments provided in Chapters 4—28.

Opportunities for discussion and critical thinking are provided in the Questions for Consideration feature. (Chapters 4-28)

Additional samples of students’ writing are included in the Appendix at the end of the book.

Here’s valuable help for improving students’ writing through a sound, illustrative combination of research-based authentic writing samples and positive coaching conversations. A guide, an incentive, and a model for success, this resource uses real classroom writing and pedagogical elements that provide specific context, research connections, teacher talk, and most importantly, students’ writing examples to help teachers teach writing to preschool through grade 6 students.

Writing Is Like Real Talk! encourages teachers to reflect on how they teach writing–and to use what they learn from students’ writing to inform their instruction. In addition to the outstanding pedagogical aids, each chapter includes authentic writing samples and coaching conversations specific to students’ needs. Armed with these classroom-based scenarios, instructors can enhance the development of teacher talk that acknowledges students as writers, facilitates students’ meaning making, and enables students to move toward writer consciousness.